SOCIALISTIC LEGISLATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23955, 2 November 1939, Page 8

SOCIALISTIC LEGISLATION

A VIGOROUS CRITICISM NOT ALL WAR EFFORT OPPOSITION’S ATTITUDE DEFINED (Per United Press Association) HAMILTON, Nov. 1. “ There appears to be some misunderstanding of the meaning of cooperation between the Government and the Opposition,” said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr A. Hamilton) in an address to members of the National Party a* Hamilton las.t night. “ I want make it perfectly clear,” he added, “ that because the Opposition promptly offered the Government co-operation in v, ar measures, which was gladly accepted by the Government, the Opposition is in no way committed to meek acceptance of proposals of which the necessity as a war measure is either doubtful or non-existent. “ The necessity for making this again clear is emphasised by a feaUired article in a recent issue of the official organ of the Labour Party, in which a welter of misrepresentations is deliberately and viciously used to try to place a charge against the Opposition, because of its criticism of some measures. that it had obstructed the war effort. That is a type .of propaganda that I thought unknown m this country. It is worthy of the dictatorial system against which the British peoples are at present at war. It was a lie. New Zealand people will not tolerate that type of distortion of the truth at a time like this. Rights of the Country “Make no mistake, no one is more wholeheartedly behind the war effort than the Opposition, and the members of the National Party whom they represent, but we have the right to demand fair play at home. . . J Before the Government’s policy had brought the Dominion into a position of great difficulty with extraordinary measures such as exchange control and import restrictions, Mr Hamilton said, Taxation had already been increased, and provision made for extensive use of loans and credit. The Opposition readily gave its assent to war emergency regulations and legislation, where war-time necessity had application. Beyond doubt the Government’s authority was widely extended in this way. “ Where the motive was political, merely advancing the planning of State Socialism in this country, the Opposition fought with all its strength, and it will continue to do so. If democracy is worth fighting for abroad, it is worth defending politically in this courttry. ’ Legislation that was unashamedly introduced since the outbreak of war, with the admission that it was, extending and consolidating the political assault on private enterprise and freedom and justice, could not pass uncontested. No Mood for Trifling "Support for the war effort, and temporary loss of the individual freedom which is the chief feature of British democracy, will be forthcoming I would, however, be failing in my duty if I did not make it perfectly clear that the prosecution by the Government of purely political motives will be bitterly resisted throughout this country. The people are in no mood for trifling in this attitude. “I would be failing in my duty, too, u I did not sav that the Government’s introduction of legislation and regulations shaped to its political ends against the tragic' background of our entry into this war. unquestionably threatens to stifle the very national spirit and united effort for which the Government and the National Party are appealing.”